The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Canberra don predicts exponential growth
Jatinder Sharma

Rohtak, November 5
In their forthcoming book on India in a globalising world, Dr Desh B. Gupta of University of Canberra, Australia and Prof. S.B.Dahiya of Maharishi Dayanand University have concluded that India faces enormous challenges and vast opportunities as it continues the steady march towards opening up and restructuring its economy which began slowly in 1985 and assumed speed from 1991.

Dr Desh B. Gupta is a visiting professor, Institute of Development Studies, Maharshi Dayanand University.

The pessimists look at the challenges of transforming a country of more than a billion people, having the largest number of malnourished and illiterate people, and find the situation helpless.

This school of thought points to the evidence of growing inter-state disparities, of continued high share of rural population of more than 70 per cent with limited choices to agricultural employment, of slowing formal sector employment in the midst of an increasing fiscal crisis among its state governments nurtured by populist policies, of increasing de-industrialisation as foreign competition increases, of inadequate electricity supply with frequent power cuts, of inadequate water supplied, of falling water tables, of increasing global warming with its increasing droughts, of increasing air and water pollution and of high levels of corruption.

This school argued that the situation other than for a small strata of population, has become worse since 1991 and that the future is bleak as India continues to liberalise its economy.

The optimists look at the transformation of the economy that has occurred over the same period with India emerging as a super power in agriculture, as the fourth largest economy, as the fifth largest industrial power and as a mature, sophisticated and confident democracy able to find solutions to the most intractable problems. They point to improved nutrition, improved literacy and enrolment levels, improved access to potable water supply, falling death rates, rapidly falling birth rates, increasing competitive position in a number of industries, improved financial and communications sectors, increase in foreign direct investment, improvements in infrastructure and policies to rectify infrastructure bottlenecks and in the air quality of Delhi and find the future bright.

National production will expand rapidly and global production will be increasingly drawn to India partly because of rising incomes, but also because the blockages to such production are being steadily removed as India moves away from the East India Company syndrome and as more sophisticated institutional supervisory are put in place and enforced.

Increasingly gravity will pull production to India as the Indian market expands at an exponential rate and as markets elsewhere become increasingly saturated in a number of products. The increasing sophistication of management and improving infrastructure will also make India attractive as a production and export centre for an increasing number of products.

In medical procedures, because of their cost-effective nature, individuals from abroad are increasingly being drawn to India. There is a scope to market them along with all types of education services. The fiscal crisis of the states will disappear as states emulate the successful experiences of one another and charge economic rates for electricity and water to the farmers and consumers in general and as more resources are drawn to the states from the increasingly rich centre. The latter development will be connected only marginally to the process of disinvestment, privatisation and more to the growth of the economy.

Besides, India has the largest middle class in the world to generate demand. India has been among the fastest growing economies of the world in the last two decades. Inflation has moderated, private capital inflows have recovered and industrial growth has accelerated.

SONEPAT
36 schools to have computer courses
Our Correspondent

Sonepat, November 5
The Haryana Education Department has introduced computer training courses in 36 Government senior secondary and high schools as well as middle schools in Sonepat district.

Stating this, Deputy Commissioner S N Roy told mediapersons here today that of these, 11 are for the girl students and the remaining 25 for the boys, which are as under: Bhatgaon, Bidhal Farmana, Gohana, Ganaur, Kharkhauda, Kathura, Murthal, Nahra, Sonepat and Sisana (for girls only) and Aterna, Barwasni, Bhawar, Baroda, Bichpari, Chidana, Chhichhrana, Deepalpur, Ganaur, Jauli, Jagsi, Kheri Gujjar, Khanpur Kalan, Murthal, Mandora, Mahra, Model Town, Sonepat, Purkhas, Rubra, Sisana, Saidpur, Shahzadpur, Tajpur, Rohat and Rukhi (for boys only).

The DC disclosed that the computer training courses have become popular among the students studying in Class VI to Class X of the district and the number of students is increasing every day. He said that the Education Department has provided computers in 19 senior secondary and 2 high schools last year whereas these have been provided in 10 senior secondary and 5 high schools this year.

According to the DC, the aim of the scheme is to encourage the students to set up their own trade and business in the field of information technology (IT). He said that the state government has upgraded 20 primary schools to the middle standard, six middle schools to the matriculation and 10 high schools to the senior secondary schools last year in this district. However, the department has recommended the upgradation of five primary schools.

The orders to this effect are still awaited, he added. The DC said that the department has provided the facility of drinking water and toilets in 24 senior secondary, 42 high and 44 middle schools in the district in accordance with the instructions of the state government.

The department, he said, had spent Rs 9.15 lakh on the construction of seven rooms and the repairs of 13 schools in the district. The department has utilised the grant of Rs 5 lakh on the repair of 17 schools and Rs 3.95 lakh on the construction of four rooms in different schools. Moreover, a sum of Rs 11.25 lakh had already been spent on the repair of school buildings in the district.

State-of-the-art computer labs for Delhi schools
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 5
More than 1,000 government schools in the Capital will have full-fledged computer laboratories by end of September 2003. Tenders for supply have computers have already been floated by the Delhi Government.

Mr S.Raghunathan, Principal Secretary, Information Technology (IT), Delhi Government, while speaking at an award ceremony function organised by VAR India, a computer magazine, said that each computer lab in a school will have 20 state-of-the-art Internet ready computers with all the software needed for education purposes.

Mr Raghunathan said that to attract IT companies in Delhi, the government is also setting up a state-of-the-art IT park near Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Kashmere Gate on Ring Road. This park is also likely to come up by the end of year 2003.

IT companies can set up their offices in this park through a single window service.

He added that like major cities in the world, Delhi is using the new field of Information Technology for the welfare of the people, particularly to improve the civic amenities in the Capital.

This will also prevent the collapse of the urban centres in the face of increasing demand on its limited infrastructure.

Unplanned urbanisation, industrialisation, and development of infrastructure is taking its toll on the health of the national Capital, he said.

A total of 48 awards instituted in various categories were presented to IT companies by Mr Raghunathan on the occasion.

COURTS

HC pulls up cops for assault on commissioners
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 5
The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to supervise the investigation into the alleged manhandling of court appointed commissioners by the shopkeepers of an East Delhi market. These shop owners were reportedly selling pirated goods using the trademark of internationally acclaimed Nike sportswear.

Justice R.C. Chopra in a recent order directed the police to file a reply within four weeks as to why no action had been initiated against the shopkeepers despite a complaint having being lodged with the SHO of Gandhi Nagar police station.

The Court had appointed seven advocates as local commissioners (LCs) to conduct raids and seize counterfeit Nike goods from the premises of some shopkeepers. A complaint had been filed by the company alleging that local sellers were marketing and passing off their goods by putting the label of Nike, thereby infringing upon its trademark. However, the raids conducted by the local commissioners few months back were unsuccessful because the shopkeepers of the locality roughed up the Local Commissioners, pointed out Nike’s counsel C M Lall.

Earlier, the Court in an ex-parte order had restrained the local shopkeepers from selling any goods under the Nike trademark or with the ‘Swoosh Device’ registered with the renowned footwear and apparel manufacturer.

The Court also pulled up the SHO of Gandhi Nagar police station, for declining to register FIR on a complaint by the Local Commissioners and directed him to file an affidavit to this effect.

Nike had alleged that the defendants, having their premises in the same locality, have conspired together in a common act of piracy and counterfeiting and infringement of the copyright act.

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Amita fashions fab couture
Smriti Kak

Admitting that she goes, “by instinct”, photographer and now designer Amita Gupta chose to call her collection India India because it summed up what she felt for the country. “It is like an exclamation. India and then India! I have travelled throughout the country and have seen so much, the collection is how I feel about the country,” exclaims Amita.

The desire to pursue creativity saw her first capture images and later turn to creation. “I have worked with the United Nations and worked on projects like AIDS and tuberculosis and people ask me how I got into textiles and designing,” says Amita.

Elucidating, “I love people. I love chatting to people over cups of chai”. Interacting with people and the thought of creating new techniques is what makes India India. Creating contemporary fashion wear, her label is an expression of her winter collection, spinning the magic of her flair for design and style. On display at Oogan will be no just clothes from the designer, but also her pictures.

Amita’s exhibition of photographs and fashion wear held in London, last year, won wide acclaim, which encouraged her to bring her work out into the open. Her use of black colour with the tie’ n’ dye of Rajasthan, to bring out a kaleidoscopic range of contemporary designs. “Three years ago when I had my baby, I wanted to do something, which would allow me to travel and I chose to fuse together different aspects of technology to create something new,” explains Amita, who has spent the better part of 15 years in the field of development communication.

Her use of fabrics in clothes reveals a purity of form, colour and design, using the minimalist approach, lively and in-style with contemporary wear, as varied and colourful as the states of India. “For the winters, I have created an exclusive range of shawls. I have used silk on one side and wool on the other. The shawls are warm and beautiful.”

The range also has jackets made of raw silk, mostly in combinations of ‘black’ n’ red, black ‘n’ gold, black ‘n’ blue, indigo & fuchsia. Her Stoles and Shawls, again mostly in ‘black’ combinations some with beading work, in cottons, khadi and raw silk, portray a contemporary presence amidst simplicity.

Lifestyle stores

A LA MODE SportKing India has also launched four lifestyle stores in the Capital. These stores will deliver the latest in readymade fashion garments.

Fashion Designers Praveen Jotania and Ritika Prabhakar lead the team of designers, presenting trendy and conformable wear for the family.

A LA MODE: In SportKing India’s garment.

Silk and Silver

Haute shawls from Silk & Silver.

Silk & Silver, a store that offers aromatic Pashminas to home accessories, has opened its doors in the Capital last week. The store claims to offer the best in table ware and gift items in sterling silver.

On offer are tea sets, candle stands, photo frames, bar accessories, dinner sets, bowls made in sterling silver. The collection offered is inspired by the finest tradition of silver-smith workmanship and each piece is created individually with great commitment to design detail and finish.

After having created a stir abroad, the Le Pashmina range also finds a shelf in the store. Available in a spectrum of colours, these shawls are made from pure Pashmina as well as mixed with silk to create a softer look.

The latest addition to fashion accessories from Le Pashmina are the 100 per cent cashmere scarves for both men as well as women, sheer shawls and herring bone yarn dyed shawls. A variety of cushions, throws, garments and night robes are available as part of this range. Ties and Y-scarves, men’s neck ties and cravettes in silk Pashmina are also on offer.

The eye catcher, however, are the ‘aromatic’ shawls, an innovation from Le Pashmina. The application of essential oils to the shawl brings about a therapeutic effect, claim the makers.

Schwerien, a label by German designer S.R Schroeder has also been given room in the store. The label will offer specially crafted pieces in silver ware.

Fashion for Kids

The height of style: A kid in Lil Tomatoes’ creation.

They dictate the terms. Marketing honchos and ad gurus have of long been paying obeisance to the deities of the consumer good. In their controlled territories read homes, they will tell you which tooth paste to buy and why. Their loyalties may shift, but as long as you keep them happy, you can safely strut back home counting your pennies.

We are talking about children whose verdict is what probably gives sleepless nights to the numerous consumer product manufacturers. And when it comes to clothes or should we say outfits, these kids know what no dress designer can tell them.

To woo kids, Gini and Jony have launched three new collections. For girls the collection titled, ‘Music’, has a range of stylised casual wear, inspired by the elements of music, the rock look and the musical instruments. The rock look is expressed in prints and badges, detailing of zippers, cords and Velcro.

‘Five’ is the name of the collection for boys. The entire theme has embellishments that are related to the number. Tussar silk has been used for bottom wear and heavy jersey for knitted tops and 30s twill for the shirting.

‘Denim X’ is for the boys who prefer the rugged look. The range is a denim-based theme with graphical prints on top wear and flock prints on bottom wear along with sand blasting and darts to add interest.

Meanwhile, Lil Tomatoes has now started designing for girls as well. The company that started designing clothes for ‘Little Men’ has now felt the need to dress, ‘little women’. The store has also put on display a whole lot of accessories including baseball caps, bandanna, berets and scarves.

A family cottage

A store that caters to the soul of the woman, ‘The Family Cottage’ offers a wide variety of clothing for the women.

The clothes are designed by Deepali, who started doing clothes for family and friends till she was inspired to open the Family Cottage along with her husband Manish.

The store offers apparels in Georgettes, Chiffons, Crepes and Khadi. The USP is the customised tailoring. The store that has something for all occasions believes in the three Cs of fashion, cut, cloth and creativity.

Jewels by Anu

A model in Anuradha Chhabra’s flashy trinkets.

For Diwali, designer Anuradha Chhabra created a twinkling line for both women and men. The range also includes a fusion on thewa and kundan jewellery that has been specially crafted and designed.

The designer has also designed a special range for men. “Jewellery is a woman’s best friend and is also gaining popularity amongst men of the stylish social circles,” says Anuradha.

So, for the men the range has buttons in gold and diamond, cufflinks and tiepins in white and yellow gold.

Meanwhile, Rama Jewellers have also launched an exclusive segment of gold and diamond jewellery for the festive season. The range has traditional as well as contemporary designs.

Three looks

For the winters the Westside, a lifestyle store, has launched three different looks, Savage chic, Feminine Flutter and Express Denims.

The Savage chic is a showstopper, with focus on details. There are eclectic shimmer shirts and Poly Lycra fitted T-shirts. The feminine Flutter has a gentle and soft look. The colours are pastels. For the denim lovers, the Express Denim has jeans, capris and short skirts.